The Paris Independent for Saturday June 15th, 2024

Photo Credit: Mayor David Bailey

COMMUNITY DIRECTORY

Emergency: 9-1-1

Police Department: 888-310-1122

Fire Department: 519-442-4500

Willet Hospital: 519-442-2251

County of Brant Office: 519-442-6324

Paris Public Library: 519-442-2433

Paris Councillors & Mayor :

Mayor - David Bailey 226-387-2490

Ward 2 - Steve Howes 519-442-4955

Ward 2 - Lukas Oakley 226-216-3037

Ward 3 - John Bell 519-209-2277

Ward 3 - John Peirce 519-442-7134

Administration & Bylaw: 519-442-7268

Paris Customer Service Office 66 Grand River St. N. 519-442-7268

Open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Main Services include:

- Accounts Receivable invoice payments

- Blue Boxes and Composters (pre-arrange pick up of composter)

- Brant Transit punch cards purchase and pick up

- Building Permits may be submitted and Building staff consulted

- Calendar pick up (free)

- Commissioner of Oath is by appointment only

- Dog license and tag

- Dog Park membership and key

- Parking ticket payment

- Property Tax payments and inquiries

- Public Works permits may be submitted

- Use the computer to meet with a virtual Planner to ask questions.

- Water testing sample bottles may be picked up. Drop off water testing samples on the last Wednesday of the month before 2 pm at the Burford Customer Service Office

Brant Sports Complex & Other Facility Booking 519-442-1944- Open Monday - Sunday, 8:30 am - 8:00 pm.

Main services include:

- Dog Park membership and key

- Dog license and tag

- Tennis Court membership and key

- Camp registration and recreation program registration

Articles, Events & Story ideas, please submit by email to: stories@theparisindependent.com

Publisher / Sales

Sports Reporter

Entertainment Reporter Jr. Events Reporter

Financial Columnist

Arts & Culture Columnist

Healthy Lifestyle Columnist

Food & Beverage Columnist

Healthy Lifestyle Columnist

Chris Whelan

Casandra Turnbull

Michelle Malvaso

George Le Gresley

Rubyyy Jones

Stephen L.

Jacob Gaudet

Taren White

Heidi Pfleger

Tiffany Martin

Shelley Gaudet

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

TODAY! AUTO SHOW BROUGHT TO YOU BY SMOKEY ESTATES AND RPM MAGAZINESaturday, June 15th at 118 Powerline Rd, Brantford from 10 am to 2 pm All years, makes and models welcome. Cost is by donation at the vehicle registration table. Swap meet vendor space available for $25. Proceeds of event go to Smokey Hollow Estates Social Club. For more information contact Tim Biro at 519770-8632

TODAY! OPEN 8 BALL JOEY J TOURNAMENT –Paris Legion, on Saturday, June 15th at 12 pm. Registration opens at 11:30 am. Everyone invited!

TODAY!

CANADIAN VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE RALLY - Friday, June 14, and Saturday, June 15, 2024 Paris National Rally Celebrate 50 years! and The Paris Lions Club has their food trailer both days Friday from 12 noon to 8pm and Saturday 8 am till 4 pm

Come on out see some great vintage Motorcycle and great friends with great food. For more information click: https://cvmg.ca/ParisRally

NEIGHBOURHOOD WIDE YARD SALE! –Saturday, June 22, 8 am to 12 pm, rain or shine! Hosted by Realtor Wendy Eveleigh, proudly support the Kiwanis Club. Participating Streets: Tom Brown, Lorne Card, Vic Chambers, McGovern, Baker, Lydia, Edgar, Parkhill, Masters and Whiting

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S DAY –

Celebration at Woodland Cultural Centre, Sunday, June 23rd from 11 am to 4 pm, located at 184 Mohawk St, Brantford Join us for live contemporary and cultural performances, interactive demonstrations including traditional dance and sports, hands on workshops for all ages, shopping with local vendors and artisans, Indigenous foods and more. Tours of our museum and galleries will be available with our knowledgeable guides throughout the day. There will be an Indigenous Market and food trucks on-site for the day! We encourage you to bring cash for easy payment to vendors NoATMs on site!

SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION –

Sunday June 23 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Wincey Mills Market in Paris. Pop up vendors, live music & DJ, come out and celebrate summer!

SENIORS’

OLYMPICS – In conjunction with Seniors’ Month in June, the County of Brant is hosting a Senior Olympic Games at Paris Lions Park from 11 am to 2 pm on June 27th . This is a 55+ event.

JUMP FOR JOY! Saturday, June 22 from 12 pm to 4 pm at the Canadian Tire parking lot. This Fundraiser and Community event is in support of the Jump Start program, giving all kids a fair opportunity to participate in sports. There will be a bouncy castle, facepainting, food trucks, music and they will be raffling off a large prize Check out all the sports organizations offered in Paris and area! Don’t miss out on this free afternoon of family fun.

COMMUNITY DINNER – Thursday, June 27th at Paris Community Church (former Presbyterian Church) at 164 Grand River ST N from 5:30 to 6:45 pm. Join us for a delicious home cooked dinner, it's free and an excellent way to connect with your local community If you have dietary restrictions, please let us know ahead of time by emailing us at: contact@parispresb.ca

Ontario Government Grant of $38,400 empowers local initiatives and strengthens community impact

MEDIA RELEASE Paris, ON – On Thursday, June 13th , local MPP Will Bouma, Brant County Mayor David Bailey & Council members, staff and volunteers, corporate partners, donors and friends attended the 10th Anniversary celebration of The Raw Carrot at Paris Community Church (formerly Paris Presbyterian Church). The event commemorated a decade of creating supported employment, community, and the dignity of work for individuals with barriers to traditional employment

At the event, MPP Will Bouma and Paris Community Church took a moment to celebrate a $38,400 Resilient Communities Fund grant they received from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation that was used to develop and market exciting new products (in addition to their gourmet, handcrafted soup) in The Raw Carrot kitchens. The project has led to more hours of work and more jobs for individuals living with disabilities and mental illness.

“The Paris Community Church along with The Raw Carrot have developed and marketed exciting new products in Raw Carrot kitchens that will lead to more jobs for individuals that are living with disabilities and mental illness,” said Will Bouma, MPPfor

Brantford Brant. “I am pleased to be a part of a government that helps support and empower people who face barriers to traditional employment ”

Before the pandemic, The Raw Carrot opened a new social enterprise annually, creating 6-10 jobs per site and offering supported part-time employment for individuals with disabilities and mental illness at each location. With the closure of the economy is 2020, launching large-scale initiatives was challenging. The new product development project was one way to diversify revenue sources and develop new products to improve profit margins.

Continued on page 6

Mayor David Bailey pictured with Alan Oak and Heather Oakes, longtime Raw Carrot Paris volunteers at the 10th anniversary celebration.

Photo Credit: Mayor David Bailey

COMMUNITY

These changes will ensure the sustainability of 4 Raw Carrot current locations – providing 34 jobs and supporting future site expansions. All sales from The Raw Carrot products directly contribute to creating supported employment and reducing poverty among those on social assistance in Ontario Rebecca Sherbino, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Raw Carrot, is grateful to The Ontario Trillium Foundation’s support “Research shows that work matters to people not only to achieve financial security but also as an important contributor to a healthy and vibrant society,” says Sherbino. “By supporting The Raw Carrot, OTF’s helping build healthier and more vibrant communities through supported employment.”

Sherbino founded The Raw Carrot in 2014 and has been at the helm ever since. After a decade, it is a nationally recognized social purpose organization that has been successfully providing meaningful employment to people living with disabilities and mental illness on social assistance across Southwestern Ontario.

“Whether it’s helping people learn new things, connect with their community, or simply have fun, organizations like The Raw Carrot deliver experiences that make a difference,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming “That’s why grant support through the Ontario Trillium Foundation is so important This funding will help ensure the Raw Carrot and the

Paris Community Church remains at the heart of the community for decades to come."

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested more than $110M into 1,044 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more Click on the Celebrating 10 ad below to go to the Raw Carrot Website for more information!

Raw Carrot founder Rebecca Sherbino and Brant MPP Will Bouma during the Raw Carrot’s 10th anniversary celebration held on June 13th at the Paris Community Church. Submitted photo

Donations rolling in for Paris’ Wilkin Family Community Centre

MEDIA RELEASE - County of

Brant, ON - The Wilkin Family Community Centre fundraising campaign continues to receive generous support from individuals and businesses and is pleased to announce a donation of $10,000 from Envirotex Products.

“It is wonderful to have such incredible community support for this project,” said Mayor David Bailey. “Thank you to Envirotex Products for their generous gift of $10,000, which helps in bringing us closer to our fundraising goal This Community Centre means many different things to many different groups of people. The Paris Lawn Bowling Club is a staple in the community, with roots tracing back to the year 1884, and it is thanks to the generosity of businesses like Envirotex Products that a healthy lifestyle and social connections will be fostered in the community for

many more years to come.”

Envirotex Products is a long time Paris-based company that pioneers sustainable and innovative products for the horticultural sector

“We are pleased to support the Paris Lawn Bowling Club This historical club has been, and continues to be, a quiet sanctuary to enjoy sport and camaraderie. We’re glad to be a part of that tradition,” said Barrie Ogilvie and John Edgar, on behalf of Envirotex Products.

The Wilkin Family Community Centre is located at 169 Grand River Street North in Paris. The centre, currently under construction, will feature approximately 2,055 square feet of indoor space and will offer facilities for indoor and outdoor recreation, social activities, family gatherings, cultural and arts activities, and various other opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy. It will be the first

net-zero building structure in Brant and will also house the Paris Lawn Bowling Club and the Paris Seniors Club 99. Construction is expected to be completed before the end of 2024 The cost to build the Wilkin Family Community Centre is $1 6 million, with a fundraising goal of $400,000 to help reduce the project's financial impact on the municipality. Since March 2024, the campaign working group has been actively seeking significant donations. Features such as the Great Room, the covered patio overlooking the lawn bowling greens and several cabanas are available for naming opportunities All donors who wish to be recognized will be acknowledged on the Donor Wall in the Great Room of the Wilkin Family Community Centre.

For more information on naming opportunities and how to donate, please contact the Capital Campaign Coordinator, Angee Turnbull, CFRE, at 519.761.1129 or angee.turnbull@brant.ca. To learn more about the Wilkin Family Community Centre and how you can get involved, please visit www.brant.ca/WilkinFamilyC ommunityCentre.

Gardeners flock to annual Garden Tour

Not even a few showers could dampen the spirits of guests who strolled some of the most beautiful gardens in Paris during the Horticultural Society’s Annual Garden Tour the first weekend of June.

“The gardens were all so beautiful and unique. We appreciate all the efforts that our host gardeners put into preparing their gardens for the tour,” said Margaret Collins, a member of the Paris Horticultural Society.

“Strolling around and being able to hear music and or watch a painting come to life is an added bonus. There were members sitting at each garden to greet our visitors and some hosts were on hand to answer any questions Some even offered drinks or snacks … how welcoming is that?”

This year’s tour featured four gardens at 45 St. Andrew’s St, 36 Cedar St, 145 Hillside Ave and 180 East River Road. Proceeds from this horticultural society event helps maintain the society’s programs, including education and public plantings throughout Paris and area.

This year’s tour attracted visitors from Mississauga, Hamilton, Guelph and Kitchener Waterloo area. Some visitors were first timers and others returning year after year. The rain on Sunday kept the numbers down but the hardy gardeners turned up with their umbrellas and sunny smiles.

Continued on page 9

All photos and information provided courtesy of Margaret Collins

COMMUNITY

The event was a success, and many positive comments were received, said Collins. The committee is already planning for the 2025 tour. In case you missed out this year, watch for details on next year’s tour!

If you’re interested in learning more about the Paris Horticultural Society, consider attending their monthly meetings held the first Wednesday of the month from September to June at the Paris Fairgrounds beginning at 7:30 pm. The society pauses meetings in July and August because they are busy keeping Paris well maintained and beautiful!

All photos courtesy of Margaret Collins

This year’s tour featured four gardens at 45 St. Andrew’s St, 36 Cedar St, 145 Hillside Ave and 180 East River Road. Proceeds from this horticultural society event helps maintain the society’s programs, including education and public plantings throughout Paris and area.

Grand prize awarded by Paris Horticultural Society

The Draw Prize winner, from the Paris Horticultural Society Garden Tour, was Harold Riddle of Wilsonville. Nancy Chipman, cochair for garden tour 2025, presented Harold and his wife Bonnie with the basket full of garden related items.

Photo and content by Margaret Collins

Tier 1 Basic Subscriber $4.00/ month: Laura, Nancy Chipman, Barbara Plumstead, Heidi Wright, VMM, Elaine Tully, Don, Dan,ABK, Harry Nixon, Ian Robertson, Donna Smith, John Gillies, Madeline, Sarah Louch, Ann Hannah, Jack MacPherson, Sue, Linda M Jones, Marlene, Christa Potter, Jill Palmer, Dianne and another Dianne.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

All letters must be signed by the writer and are subject to editing for length and clarity. The opinions expressed in the letter are those of the writer, and not necessarily those of the Paris Independent. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, or completeness of this information. If you have an opinion to share, email your letters to stories@theparisindependent.com

One year later: Remembering Scott Dammeier

50/50 and Raffle

Draw raises

By Casandra Turnbull

It was one year ago when local businessman Scott Dammeier passed away after a courageous battle with cancer – a battle that gripped the heart of this community.

Dammeier, owner of Scott’s Family Restaurant in Paris, passed away on June 29th 2023, at the Juravinski Cancer Centre in his 51st year The community rallied behind Scott and his wife Kim throughout his yearlong battle A successful Go Fund Me campaign, launched by longtime family friend Tina Graziano, helped to support the self-employed business owners, who were just emerging from a tough financial period following the Global pandemic.

The Paris Firefighters Club hosted a successful Touch a Truck event raising over $10,000 to help the couple as they tried to keep the restaurant open while navigating a multitude of doctors’ appointments and treatments. Money raised helped the pair with day-to-day operational expenses, financial recovery from the Covid pandemic, medical expenses and allowed them to spend precious time with one another, and with Scott’s children Griffin and Devlin

money for SPCA in memory of local business owner

Scott Dammeier, owner of Scott’s Family Restaurant.

Throughout his battle, Scott never lost sight of recovery. His focus remained on battling cancer and taking each obstacle as they came, doing what he could to squeeze out extra time with his family, friends and children.

In an effort to give back to the gracious community who supported her and Scott and keep his memory alive in a way Scott would have approved, Kim has launched a fundraising campaign this week in support of the Brant SPCA. It will also recognize Scott’s Family Restaurant’s 25th Anniversary in business. She’s selling 50/50 tickets, as well as raffle tickets for a chance to win one of two $50 gift certificates

to Toys R’ Us and the Brantford Mall The winner of the 50/50 will take half the money home and the remaining funds will go to the SPCA. All the funds raised from the raffle tickets for the gift cards will go to the SPCA.

You can pick up the tickets at Scott’s Restaurant at 70 Scott Ave during business hours –Wednesdays to Sunday, 8 am to 2 pm The 50/50 Tickets are 1 for $3, 3 for $5 and 10 for $20. Raffle tickets for the gift cards are $2 each. The lucky winner will be drawn on July 7th . Follow Scott’s Family Restaurant on Facebook for draw details.

Kiwanis welcome young guests and Teddy Bear companions to its Clubhouse picnic!

The 3rd Annual Teddy Bear picnic brought smiles to the faces of a lot of young residents on June 2. Held at the Burford Fairgrounds, outside of Paris for the first time since its inception, the family fun picnic is still organized and hosted by the familiar faces of Kiwanis Club of Paris – Brant volunteers. The weather was too wet for an outdoor picnic, but as they say, the show (err picnic!) must go on! So Club member pivoted and moved the event inside the Burford Fairgrounds. Using some creativity, the Kiwanis Club of Paris-Brant the fairgrounds space into a special clubhouse where the kids and their families had a wonderful time participating in a variety of games and events – and showing off their stuffed companions in the process!

Pictured left is Volunteer Stacy Thomas putting the final touches on Rowen Metz.

Far left is Balloon artist Eric Kenney creating a dog for Alice Parker.

Immediate left is Callie Fae Christo pinning a heart on the Teddy Bear Photos by Stan Hutchinson

Bike Rodeo participant wins brand new bicycle!

The Paris Community Safety Group was pleased to have Kristen Smith representing the Co Operators Insurance Company present a brand new bicycle to 7year-old Noah Wilkinson from Paris as the winner of their annual Bike Rodeo held last Saturday at Syl Apps Community Centre parking lot.. A huge thank you to the Paris Optimist Club for providing volunteers, the Paris Fire Fighters for providing every participant with a bike safety prize and the County of Brant for the bike safety flashing lights and the use of the stop sign.

Submitted by Edith Stone, Paris Community Safety Group Chair

Share your thoughts on the Paris Skatepark expansion plans

As we reported earlier this year, the Paris Skatepark will see an expansion this year!

A total of $245,000 was allotted in the 2024 County budget for the expansion as well as $415,000 for the Burford Skatepark construction

The Syl Apps Optimist Skatepark was constructed in 2012 – a project spearheaded by the Paris Optimist Club. It’s a well-utilized park for residents of all ages When it was originally created, budget constraints prevented plans from including a bowl type feature.

The County of Brant confirmed this week in a social media post: “This expansion will likely include a concrete bowl feature, fulfilling the original vision for the park The addition of a concrete bowl will enhance the park’s offerings, and, with your help, we'll add other features that will provide new and exciting challenges for all skaters!”

To collect input from users and residents, the county is hosting a

Paris Optimist Skate Park Open House on Wednesday, June 19th from 4 pm to 6 pm at the Syl Apps Community Centre, 51 William St, Paris. Attendees will be entered into a draw to win a FREE Skateboard deck!

To share your thoughts online, visit Engagebrant.ca/ParisSkatePark to learn more, submit your questions and complete the survey by Thursday, June 27 at 4:30 pm.

Meanwhile the Paris Optimist Club is thrilled with the expansion news and is in full support of the long awaited second phase of this project. Through its bottle drives held a few times a year, the club has set aside $10,000 for site amenities, such as additional benches and garbage cans. An RPT prepared by the County of Brant notes that once construction starts on the expansion of the park, the Two Rivers stadium will be decommissioned and the greenspace will remain as parkland. There are plans to build ball diamonds to replace the Two Rivers Stadium in a yet to be revealed location in the next couple of years.

LOCAL HISTORY

Father's Day shopping in Paris: A Journey Through Time

One sure sign that the long, warm days of summer are fast approaching is the appearance of ads to “remember Dad” on the third Sunday in June. Father’s Day is not only a day to cherish one’s father; you are also encouraged to get dad a special gift This might be a new barbecue, fishing gear, power tools, a big screen television, or the old favourite - a new tie

The idea of Father’s Day first came to Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington. She and her siblings were raised solely by their father, and every Mother’s Day Sonora lamented the lack of a day to celebrate fathers. The first Father’s Day was held in Spokane on June 19, 1910 Informally acknowledged by President Calvin Coolidge in 1924, Father’s Day was not officially proclaimed in the United States until 1966, although not as a statutory holiday. Since the 1920s, Canadians have also marked Father’s Day, but here too it has not received any official holiday status. Many other countries do likewise, although a few European countries align the celebration with the March religious feast of St. Joseph, the patron saint of fatherhood.

In Paris, this celebration has a rich history intertwined with the memories of a bygone era. As we delve into the passing of time, we discover a captivating tale of downtown Paris, where numerous men's wear shops flourished, catering to the Father’s Day needs of our community and beyond Stepping back in time we explore the captivating world of classic Paris stores like the Haberdashery of Blackhurst and McTavish, Jack Bradley’s Men's Wear, Al Toms Shoes and of course Harry Wise Men's Wear

In the year 1919, on a memorable August day, Harry Wise Men's Wear first came into existence, marking the inception of an iconic establishment in Paris. Harry Wise,

a skilled tailor from Poland, arrived in Paris in 1919 and acquired a store at 113 Grand River St. N. Originally a cleaning and pressing store, it underwent a transformation into a dedicated men's wear boutique. With his expertise as a tailor, Harry Wise embarked on a journey to serve the fashionconscious men of Paris and area.

During the early 20th century, men's fashion exuded elegance, sophistication, and attention to detail. Regardless of social standing, every gentleman adorned himself with a hat, and his ensemble was embellished with neckties, belts, walking sticks, cufflinks, and handkerchiefs.

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Interior view of Harry Wise’s newly established men’s and boy’s clothing store, Grand River Street North, Paris, Ontario, ca. 1925. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, Accession 2018-2-6.

LOCAL HISTORY

Harry Wise Men's Wear, along with other establishments like Jack Bradley's, became synonymous with impeccable style and quality garments. These stores were a hub of fashion, where the discerning gentlemen of Paris converged to acquire the finest attire and accessories.

A Conversation With Leonard Wise: In August 1979, a volunteer from the Paris Public Library conducted an interview with Leonard Wise, owner of Harry Wise Men's Wear, offering a glimpse into the store's origins and the family's journey. Leonard shared that his father, Harry Wise, purchased the present location at 73 Grand River St. N in 1925 after establishing his initial store up the street Harry Wise married Rose Offstein in 1925, and together they raised four children, with Leonard being the eldest.

Leonard Wise stepped into the family business at a young age, officially joining in 1947 Eventually, in 1971, he assumed ownership of Harry Wise Men's Wear from his father The store remained an integral part of Leonard's life until his father's passing. Throughout the years, the store witnessed changes in the neighborhood, with neighboring businesses such as the photographer's studio, Cairn's store, and the A&P grocery store no longer around.

As we reflect on the past, we

Above: Jack Bradley Men’s Wear c 1980s

acknowledge the changing dynamics of downtown Paris. Leonard Wise shared at the time his perspective on potential expansion and the town's business community While acknowledging the stability and progressiveness of Paris, he contemplated retirement and exploring the wider world. Leonard's fondness for his town and the unique charm it holds was evident, as he cherished the independence and spirit of small businesses that defined Paris.

As Leonard Wise contemplated the future of Harry Wise Men's Wear, he acknowledged the challenges faced by independent businesses in a world increasingly dominated by malls and changing consumer preferences Yet, his pride in maintaining an independent establishment and serving the community remained unwavering With his daughters pursuing their own paths, Leonard Wise’s dedication to providing exceptional service and sharing his passion for

retail continued to shape the legacy of Harry Wise Men's Wear until the store finally closed about 1989.

Father's Day in downtown Paris, not only celebrated the significance of fathers and father figures but also presented an opportunity for local businesses to revitalize sales. Jack Bradley's Men's Wear and Harry Wise Men's Wear harnessed the power of June promotions and expert window displays to entice shoppers and captivate their imaginations These techniques, rooted in creativity and a deep understanding of customer desires, allowed these businesses to create memorable experiences while showcasing their finest attire and accessories. As we celebrate Father's Day, let us remember the legacy of these businesses and the artistry they employed to make downtown Paris a hub of fashion and style. Leonard Wise would be comforted to know that in 2024 Paris still offers a freindly unique shopping experience.

Below: Harry Wise Men’s Wear c 1967

PDHS recognizes top athletes

Paris District High School held its annual Sports Banquet this past Tuesday, June 10th at the Brantford Golf and Country Club The school’s top athletes were recognized for sports excellence and sportsmanship, both in team and individual sports over the last year

Here’s a closer look at who was reward:

Junior Tennis Award – Ella Morissette; Coaches Award Junior Tennis – Revanth Chitikena; Senior Tennis Award – Harper North and Trudeau GulatiGolf Most Valuable Golfer – Quinn Carpenter

Junior Girls Basketball MVP – Eira

:

Feairs; Junior Girls Basketball Most

Improved Player – Nora Kovacs

Senior Girls Basketball MVP- Mya Padusenko; Senior Girls Basketball

Most Improved Player – Lauren Cohoon

Junior Boys Volleyball MVP – Dexter

Quesnel and Jack Ward; Senior Boys

Volleyball MVP – Sam Bowler and Aiden McKay

Cross Country Most Outstanding

Female Runner– Makayla Langille

Cross Country Most Outstanding

Male Runner– Gavin Stafford

Boys Varsity Baseball MVP – Ty Parsons

Boys Varsity Baseball Coaches

Award- Owen Taylor

Junior Football Offensive Player of the Year- Cloton Gloade; Junior Football Defensive Player of the Year- Matt Mahlman; Junior Football MVP- Ian Souliere; Junior Football Lineman of the Year- Nathan Winter; Junior Football DeGroote Award –Canaan Sherbino; Senior Football Offensive Player of the Year- Nolan Ayres; Senior Football Defensive Player of the Year- Adam Floto; Senior Football MVP- Jack Kelly; Senior Football Lineman of the YearNoah Seymour; Senior Football DeGroote Award – Adam Kozbor

Continued on page 18

PDHS Major Award

Winners from this week’s Sports Banquet held at the Brantford Golf and Country Club.

Pictured - FRONTDaniel Balog, Trevor Kitchen, Harper North, Lauren Markle, Canaan Sherbino BACK- Ryan Burroughs, Ty Parsons, Ben Zondag, Lauren Cohoon, Maddie Hallman, Madi Burr, Sydney Kipp.

Photo credit Garth Chivers

Junior Boys Basketball MVP –Canaan Sherbino; Junior Boys Basketball Most Improved Player –Jacob Kreager; Senior Boys Basketball MVP – Nathan Halliday; Senior Boys Basketball Most Improved Player – Alec Eder

Junior Girls Volleyball Super Slammer – Nora Kovacs; Junior Girls Volleyball Coaches Award – Peyton Andree; Senior Girls Volleyball MVP- Mya Padusenko; Senior Girls Volleyball MVP – Maddie Hallman

Girls Hockey ‘Papi Norris” for Best Defender –Seibert; Girls Hockey for Heart and Hustle – Scout HergottLeader

Wrestling Most Outstanding Athlete – Thomas Whitney

Junior Badminton MVP – Leo Kolesar and Micah Brogno; Senior Badminton MVP – Carson Brown, Harper North and Bianka Kruschat

Girls Varsity Soccer MVP – Eira Feairs and Kaylee Johnson; Boys Varsity Soccer Golden Boot – Micah Brogno; Boys Varsity Soccer MVP –

JoelAinslie

Girls Ruby Most Valuable Contributor – Lauren Cohoon; Girls Ruby Coaches Award – Meaghan McCormack; Girls Ruby Rookie of the Year – Lindsay Bouwmeester

Girls Ruby, Dedicated, Drive, Desire Award- Fiona Parkinson

Track & Field Most Outstanding; Senior – Kelly Mantel

Track & Field Most Outstanding Junior- Sydney Kipp; Track & Field

Most Outstanding Novice- Adam Gagliardi

Boys Varsity Lacrosse MVP – Ryan Burroughs; Boys Varsity Lacrosse

Outstanding Player - Matthew Mahlman

Ultimate Frisbee MVP – Nathan Halliday; Ultimate Frisbee Spirit of the Game – Mya Padusenko

Junior Boys Athlete of the Year (two separate awards) -Canaan Sherbino and Jack Ward; Junior Girls Athlete of the Year – Sydney Kipp; Senior Boys Athlete of the year – Ty Parsons; Senior Girls Athlete of the Year – Maddie Hallman; Female Unsung Hero -Madi Burr; Male Unsung Hero – Trevor Kitchen; Volunteer of the Year (two separate awards) – Lauren Markle and Daniel Balog; Hannah McCosh (top female for leadership and athletics – Lauren Cohoon; Athletics Council Award –Ben Zondag

Brant County Specialty Award: Ed O’Leary Memorial Award PDHS Female Nominee Harper North and PDHS Male Nominee Ryan Burroughs

Paris Soccer Club team finishes second in host tournament

Congratulations to Paris Forest Green that placed 2nd in last weekend’s Twin Rivers League Soccer Tournament, hosted by the Paris Soccer Club The Ayr Red U10 Boys Soccer Team finished in1st place There were a lots of exciting games that included, penalty kicks, overtime halves and shootouts during semi-finals, consolation game and final game. The Paris Soccer Club sends a big thank you to all volunteer coaches, referees, club tournament volunteers, sponsors and parents for supporting local youth soccer. Paris Soccer Club Photo

U11 Girls Softball team records grand slam and triple play all in one game!

Paris squeezes by Hickson#1 with a final score of 16-15

The Paris U11 Girls Softball travel team had one thrilling end to a recent game against Hickson#1 The action started in the second last inning of last Saturday’s June 8th game. Each team had traded runs in a very close back and forth game. During the third inning, with bases loaded, Aleya stepped up to the plate and took at beautiful pitch for a ride to the centre field fence It was her first grand slam of the season, and it generated a lot of excitement on the bench! Heading into the final inning of the game, Paris was down by one run The team managed to put two runs on the board to take a one run lead as Hickson took its last at bat. As if the excitement of the third inning wasn’t enough, and not to out due herself, Aleya caught hold of a line drive at third base, stepped on her bag for a double play and with lots of encouragement from the fans, she relayed the ball to the pitcher, who threw it to first base to wrap up the game-ending triple play! It took a few seconds for

team to register what happened but judging by the cheering from the fans, they quickly put it all together and celebrated with enthusiasm. The grand slam and triple play were not doubt exciting moments from this game, however, the team showed a lot of key improvement both offensively and defensively. Maeve and Kaylee had a good game on the mound collecting a few strikeouts for their seasonal

Notice: Paris Tennis Courts Closure

collection.

The girls are starting to trust their judgement and swinging the bat with confidence, collecting some singles and doubles along the way In the field they are catching the ball and making routine ground plays Each game they continue to improve and support one another. Great job everyone!

The Paris Tennis Courts located at Paris District High School, will be closed to the public all day June 23rd from 9 am to 7 pm. The Paris Tennis Club will be hosting a tournament. To learn more about the Paris Tennis Club visit theparisclub.ca

Barbarian Cup Champions!

St. John’s College Rugby team claims All-Ontario title

For the first time in 14 years the St. John’s College Bantam (Grade 9) Rugby team has won the “Barbarian Cup” (Ontario Championships). The local team beat Waterloo 19-7 and Assumption 22-0 on route to the title! Making the victory even more sweet, Assistant Coach Santilli was on that Eagles side 14 years ago the last time the team made history! To earn their birth in the Ontario championships, the Bantam and Junior Eagles teams both won at CWOSSA the week prior. Pictured below is an action shot from the Bantam team at CWOSSA in Fergus earlier this month, as well as the junior team coaches. Coach Mike Taylor said, “It was a great season for the Bantam team (Grade 9s) going undefeated 15 & 0 and outscoring their opponents 581 points to 24. It was also a great season for the St. Johns Juniors missing out on the All-Ontario semifinals by just three points.

Photos submitted by Chris Szarka

King Edward Hotel keeps 74-year-old love story alive

Let's start this story in 1950 when two young people, Dale & Gwen Maidens, got married in Simcoe. Their first honeymoon night, they stayed at The King Edward Hotel in Toronto Skip forward 50 years, where for their Golden Anniversary they wanted to re-enact this honeymoon – one night at The King Edward and then on to Ottawa. Gwen sent a letter to The King Edward Hotel before their anniversary, telling them about the honeymoon and what I wonderful time they had and that they were coming again. The King Edward responded by upgrading their room and having special extravagances in their room for them, an orchid and a bottle of champagne Skip forward another 24 years to May 2024, when 93-year-old widow Gwen was enjoying reliving her memories through photos and scrapbooks While reliving her memories of their wedding & anniversary Gwen decided to write a letter to The King Edward Hotel thanking them for the two special

Dale & Gwen Maidens honeymooned in at The King Edward Hotel in Toronto in 1950. In what would have been the couple’s 74 year anniversary, a representative of the King Edward Hotel came to Gwen’s home to present her with a framed image of the hotel’s entry way. Gwen shared photos from her wedding.

nights she and Dale had spent there. The King Edward Hotel staff answered her – saying that they were touched by her letter and as she cannot travel to them anymore, they would come to her

A wonderful young man showed up at her door with a basketful of "goodies" from The King Edward Hotel - a robe and slippers, and some fare from their Afternoon Tea at the Victoria Cafe. He also carried a framed signed letter from the General Manager and a large, framed picture of the front entry of The King Edward signed by the staff of the hotel who had been touched by Gwen's letter and story. He also sat with Gwen looking at her wedding album and talking about her life The King Edward hotel took her beautiful memories and made them even more memorable.

-Beautiful story and photographs shared by Gwen’s daughter, Tina Lyon

Take advantage of new pop up pickleball courts in Paris

Did you get a chance to check out the NEW pop-up pickleball court at Optimist Park in Paris yet? This fun sport has attracted quite the following over the last couple of years as people of all ages are trying their hand at the sport, which is somewhat a cross between tennis and badminton!

This single court requires players to bring their own net, paddles and balls. What if you don’t have equipment? No problem!

The County of Brant has partnered with the Brant County Public Library to offer residents the opportunity to rent out all equipment needed including a net, paddles & balls.

For more information on how to rent out equipment and availability please visit brantlibrary.ca and check under

the Gears & Gadgets tab. Please note, residents will need to have an account/ library card to proceed.

To find more registered and drop-in activities in the County of Brant visit brant.ca/Recreation

Free events throughout the month at Paris Pool

The County of Brant is celebrating the month of June with some pretty awesome opportunities –FREE activities throughout the month at the Paris Community Pool!

It all started with a free lane swim this past Monday. On Tuesday, June 18th from 7-8 pm, there will be a free drop-in aqua Zumba session for those 16 and older. On Friday, June 28th enjoy the free Splash into Summer Event in celebration of the end of the school year! This onetime celebration takes place most of the day on the first official day of summer vacation from 8:15 am to 2 pm.

All ages are welcome.

If you attend any of these listed events, you’re entered in a draw for a chance to take home the grand prize of an Inflatable Paddleboard Kit. This paddleboard is adjustable and suitable for both youth and adults. Only those in attendance will receive a ballot for the month end draw.

For more information on Aquatics in Brant visit brant ca/Aquatics or for more information on the event schedule, please contact Aquatic staff directly at 519-4427311

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Three-day Brant Theatre Festival next weekend!

Paris is definitely pretty, but over the years - like all the great beauties - she has proven to be multi-faceted and talented in a multitude of ways, showing off visual art, food culture, community engagement type entertainment, movie making and more. There are so many things Paris offers, and I’m excited to share with you several upcoming theatrical events you may enjoy!

Next weekend is the inaugural Brant Theatre Festival presented by Paris Performers’ Theatre and produced by Big Cityyy Arts, which has been a huge labour of love and dedication to the amazing theatre happening all around us, in Paris and Brant. Friday June 21st from 7 pm to 9 pm is the festival opener, the return of Paris Performers’ Theatre’s annual One Act Play night at St. Paul’s United Church. This year's event features three ten minute plays with film festival style Q&A- hosted by local creative dynamo Tiffany Martin - and it includes two original plays as well. Saturday June 22nd is a celebration of Paris Playwrights at Paris Wincey Mills Co from 7 pm to 9 pm, with performances featuring work from two Paris writers:Kate

Carter and Allison Fradkin, and then finishing off with a festival party to toast, schmooze and connect with other local theatre makers and admirers. There will be a bar with beer, wine, coffee, tea etc and Betty’s Blend popcorn to snack on, in honour of longtime PPT volunteer BettyAyres.

The festival wraps up on Sunday June 23rd from 7 pm to 9 pm with the Brant Theatre Showcase, an evening created to lift and laud theatre makers and happenings in Brant and beyond. This will be a cabaret style event featuring performances from Ayr Community Theatre, Paris Broadway Players, Penny & Pound Productions and more. This evening will have a lot of music, energy and feature a number of really dynamic young performers! All the events for the Brant Theatre Festival are Pay What You Like so that all who want to attend can and tickets are available on the door in advance via Paris Performers’ Theatre’s Eventbrite. Get in touch via email to parisperformerstheatre@gmail.com

The Glass Slipper Company is a pillar of Paris with its whimsical and professional pop ups happening at parties, events and festivals all around town, and I’m very excited to tell you that they have a brand new, beautiful project coming up in June! On Saturday June 29th starting at 2 pm, they will debut a fantastic oneof-a-kind show featuring almost a dozen different princess and characters, created with dance, song and storytelling to delight and entertain you.All ages are welcome,

yes, Disney adults that includes you too! Tickets are $15 and available via email: xtheglassslippercompany@gmail.co m. Learn about the power of dreams with Pandora, the resident Fairy Godmother in training, then take photos and meet new friends who have similar dreamy and magical vibes!

And if you’re looking for a lastminute Father’s Day treat, look no further than the Musical Murder Mystery from ‘There’s A Production,’ happening on Saturday, June 15th at the Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead. THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED: A Johnny Carson Musical Murder Mystery, will delight audience members alike. Doors open at 5:30 pm and the show begins at 6 pm with your tickets including the zany and zesty show and also a delicious homestyle dinner. It’s a perfect excuse to check out this incredible historical spot and also this evening of light and lovely entertainment. Dress up is encouraged but not required, tickets and further information available on www.theresaproduction.com

There are so many amusing and engaging things happening in our little town, practically on your doorstep darlings! So, make sure you check out these and all the other arty and entertaining events on offer, and support small and local with your recreation so that these punchy productions can continue to grow and thrive in Paris and Brant.

Brantford-Brant employment rate reaches one-year high

BRANTFORD (June 7, 2024) –

The Brantford-Brant employment rate reached a one-year high in May, while the jobless rate continues to hover around 5%.

May’s local unemployment rate was 4 9%, the same as from January to March, and just below April’s 5%, new seasonally adjusted numbers released by Statistics Canada show

At the same time, the local employment rate – the percentage of the population 15 years and older who are working – reached 64.8%, the highest since May 2023

Ontario added 50,000 jobs in May – the most in Canada - and the provincial jobless rate dipped to 6 7% Employment grew by 27,000 in total in Canada last month but the unemployment rate

inched up to 6 2%

The overall size of BrantfordBrant’s labour force has grown by 1,900 since May 2023, with 1,100 of those people finding work, while the other 800 have not

“Those numbers are a reminder that even with Brantford having one of the lowest unemployment rates in Ontario, there are local residents who need supports and help finding jobs,” said Danette Dalton, executive director of the Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie.

“There are a lot of great local organizations working to help people find jobs and to boost their skills.”

Dalton said residents can turn to different types of supports, including: government-funded

employment centres, literacy and basic skills services, organizations that help residents with special needs or newcomers, and free job training programs such as the planning board’s new Skills2Advance Try a Trade

“These organizations also work with local employers to help them find the workers they need,” she said “Neither job seekers nor businesses should shy away from reaching out to ask for help.”

There were more than 2,150 new jobs posts – a 13% increase – in May on Grand Erie Jobs, the online job website operated by the planning board. There was also a 19% increase in active jobs posts, with 4,250, while 11% more companies advertised jobs compared toApril.

Paris’ first Yarn Barn!

Paris resident Wendy Read is behind Paris’ first Yarn Barn. A similar concept to the little free library, this custom-built home encourages crafters to add inventory and take what you can use! Kudos to Mike Penney on the craftsmanship. Stop by Gold Street in Paris to check it out and drop off those loose ends hanging around your house!

Photo shared by Steve Howes

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Exercise good Yoga etiquette!

Yoga with Heidi Pfleger

When attending something for the first time, there is always some curiosity around what to expect. Going to a yoga class is no different and being prepared can help to relieve some anxiety. Here are a few things to keep in mind when attending an inperson class:

1. Arrive 10 or 15 minutes early. This will help you get oriented, lay out your mat and rest for a few minutes before class starts. It will also allow time for you to speak to the teacher and advise them of any particular needs or restrictions you have.

2. Leave your shoes at the door and your cell phone at home. There are cultural, practical and spiritual reasons for leaving your shoes at the door. Showing a sign of respect is one reason and this is why it is practiced in many Eastern countries when entering a home,

school or temple. It also keeps the studio floor clean and the barefoot contact with the floor helps to make you feel more ‘grounded. ’ Leaving your cell phone at home or in your car helps to avoid distractions and disruptions for you and other students

3. Avoid wearing any perfume or body lotions. Both can trigger allergies in other students, may be distracting during practice, and can be toxic to the environment.

4.Set up your space. Most studios will have a sign indicating what props are going to be used or will have a space already set up indicating what you will need for your practice. The general practice when settling into your space is to lie with your head to the teacher at the front of the room and your feet to the back of the room.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

While not always practiced, this is typically done as a sign of respect for your teacher

5. Honoring washroom breaks and bodily functions. If you need to leave the room to go to the washroom, do so quietly. There is no need to tell your teacher or apologize for having to the leave the class for a few minutes. Also, it is not uncommon for other bodily functions to occur during a class. Some poses are terrific for helping to relieve gas but the action isn’t always a quiet one. If you find your body making unanticipated noises during a class, there is no need to apologize Your teacher and other students will understand that this can happen

6. Stay for the entire class. There is often an inclination to want to get up and leave once the sequence of poses has been done. Leaving when others are settling into the final relaxational pose of Savasana can be disruptive for others and robs you of the full yoga experience.

7. Clean up after class. Wipe down any borrowed mats after practice and put away any props that were used. Some students may choose to rest in Savasana a bit longer so be mindful of being quiet when tidying up There will be opportunity to chat when you reach the reception or lounge area

8. Chanting OM. Pronounced as

‘A-U-M, this is sometimes chanted at the start of a class Teacher preferences to do so vary and there is never any requirement or expectation for students to join in. OM is a sacred sound generally known as the sound of the universe. It unifies everything in the world. The vibrations that the OM sound creates are believed to energize the chakras throughout the body, especially the ones that connect us with our divine Self (such as the third eye and crown chakras). When chanted in class, OM signifies unity and can help to bring a sense of community to the group. Chanting is also believed to help align the body, mind, and soul, and that may be a reason why people feel more connected with themselves after meditating and practicing the chant If you don’t feel comfortable joining in, no problem You may find you enjoy simply listening in instead. The sound can be very powerful.

9.Ending your class with Namaste. Pronounced ‘nuh-MUHstheh,’ this word is commonly used as a form of salutation when meeting or parting with another person. It is also often exchanged at the end of a class to show a sign of respect between yoga teachers and their students Some teachers will say this while students are still lying in Savasana, giving them added time to rest, if they choose Other teachers will bring students out of Savasana and into a seated position

before exchanging Namaste with one another Whatever the choice, ending a class with Namaste is very common ‘Nama’ means ‘bow’; ‘as’ means ‘I’; and ‘te’ means ‘you,’so, simply and literally put, the term means ‘I bow to you.’ There are other translations that are more all-encompassing and honouring, such as, “The Divine in me honours the Divine in you.” My own personal favourite version is: “The Light in me honours the Light in you. When you are in that place in you and I am in that place in me, we are One.”

Joining a class as a way to learn more about yoga and to connect with other kindred spirits is a terrific way to deepen an existing home practice I salute you in your efforts to share your time ‘on the mat’with others Namaste

Heidi Pfleger has been a Yoga Teacher and Wellness Coach for more than 30 years and a student of yoga since the age of five. Born and raised on a farm in the Paris area, Heidi ventured further afield to study Yoga around the world in her twenties and has since been sharing her experiences and continuing in her studies both on and off the mat. Heidi offers regular yoga classes and individual sessions as well as wellness coaching sessions and retreats throughout the year. For more information on her programs, contact Heidi at 519-755-1447.

ASTROLOGY

Aries: March 21 - April 19 (Fire) –A time to get active and take some chances Almost anything you apply yourself to will seem to flow and happen with seemingly little effort. Extra initiative and a wonderful sense of timing make this a good time to begin a new project. Your love life benefits from increased sex drive and physical attractiveness

Taurus: April 20 - May 20 (Earth) - Disagreement or conflict is unlikely because you can talk and charm your way out of just about anything You can develop your artistic and creative potential more easily now, especially with drawing, painting, reading and writing music, playing musical instruments, poetry and singing

Gemini: May 21 - June 20 (Air)You will leave no stone unturned to discover your partner’s or potential partner’s true feelings, perhaps even your true feelings Privacy is important now. Perhaps you wish to keep a relationship secret or uncover someone else’s secrets. A new romance is also possible.

Cancer: June 21 – July 22 22 (Water) - Enhanced communication skills make intimate relationships more loving and professional relationships more productive Mutual understanding and a willingness to cooperate are ideal for conflict resolution, legal and financial matters, contract negotiations and business deals.

Leo: July 23 - August 22 (Fire) –This is the right time for decisive actions, making important decisions, taking the lead, and increasing your wealth You can count on courage and sound judgment to take advantage of any opportunities for personal, material or spiritual growth. This is a perfect time for dating and improving existing relationships.

Virgo: August 23 - September 22 (Earth) – a fun-loving and friendly influence, makes this a great time to relax and unwind Socializing should be more enjoyable because of less stress and more harmony in your relationships. A greater ability to express love and affection helps your intimate relationships benefit from closer bonding

Libra: September 23 - October 22 (Air) - Tension in your love life is possible as differences in your ideas or plans become more apparent But discovering that you like different things does not cause arguments if you use some tact and try to compromise. Self-restraint is needed with money, sweet food, and whatever else you have a weak spot for

Scorpio: October 23 - November 21 (Water) – You will feel more emotional and sensitive than usual This is a great time to discuss relationship issues because you will be in touch with your feelings. Inner calm and balance give you the confidence to break the ice and make new friends. But you may need more emotional reassurance from familiar objects, people, and places

Sagittarius: November 22December 21 (Fire) – While others procrastinate and make excuses, you can use your initiative to tackle any task with energy, enthusiasm, and optimism. You can be competitive and assertive while maintaining harmony. Good timing and instincts make this a good time for taking risks

Capricorn: December 22 - January 19 (Earth) – The good luck you experience this week comes from increased optimism, strong instincts, initiative, and a willingness to take risks. Increased sex appeal, charisma and popularity make this an excellent week for dating, business, sports, and impressing someone professionally or personally

Aquarius: January 20 –February 18 (Air) – You will project a very positive image, making it easy to win the approval of others, especially superiors. So, finding a business partner, financial advisor, or other professional to assist you is also favored You should enjoy a more prominent and attractive public profile and social media image This could be used to further your career, to advertise, sell or gain support for a worthy cause

Pisces: February 19 - March 20 (Water) – The intuitive and penetrating nature of your mind can uncover secrets and plots. Your powerful mind and selfexpression make you persuasive when talking to others. You can sell a message and convince others of ideas that others usually fear or are wary of. This is also a good time for studies and exams

Showtimes for Galaxy Cinemas Brantford For Saturday, June 15, 2024

Inside Out 2

Standard 11:30a.m. 1:30p.m. 2:10p.m.

4:10p.m. 4:50p.m. 6:50p.m. 9:30p.m.

3D 7:30p.m. 10:00p.m.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die

Standard 1:10p.m. 4:00p.m. 7:00p.m.

9:50p.m.

The Garfield Movie

Standard 11:30a.m. 2:00p.m. 4:45p.m.

7:20p.m.

3D 9:55p.m.

The Watchers

Standard 1:40p.m. 4:20p.m. 7:10p.m.

10:00p.m.

IF Standard 1:00p.m. 3:50p.m.

6:40p.m. 9:45p.m.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Standard 11:40a.m. 3:00p.m.

6:15p.m. 9:30p.m.

Chandu Champion Standard 11:50a.m. 3:10p.m. 6:30p.m. 9:20p.m.

Autumn and the Black Jaguar Standard 11:00a.m.

JUNE 14-20 GATES OPEN AT 8pm MOVIES START AT DUSK (9:20)

Now Open 4 Nights a Week

Thurs. – Sun. CAR LOAD